Racism and Mental Illness = Death Penalty

The Story of Guy LeGrande

Guy LeGrande who was to be put to death in North Carolina on December 01, 2006 is a black mentally ill man. Do I know this beyond a reasonable doubt? Yes, and so should everyone else who has read his case or was even part of his death sentence.

Not only did Guy Legrande not understand what was going on when he was on trial, but his standby by legal counsel had wanted to put in a motion that Mr. LeGrande was "severely mentally ill" and was not capable of representing himself. He had informed the legal counsel that he was receiving messages from Oprah Winfrey and Dan Rather through the television. Unfortunately since Mr. LeGrande was defending himself, counsel was not aloud to say anything.

The judge then asked Mr.LeGrande if he wanted the court to review his mental status, he stood up and tore the piece of paper in half, the judge proceded with the trial.

Once Mr.LeGrande was sentenced to death, experts evaluated him and came to the obvious conclusion that he was suffering from psychosis, specifically a delusional disorder with grandiose and persucatory dilusions. His delusions make it impossible for him to participate in a meaningful way in the defense of his life. So why was he aloud to defend himself if it was obviously know that he was mentally ill!

Was it because he was black? His co-defendant who was white, who paid Mr.LeGrande to kill his wife received life inprisonment. Yet, Mr. LeGrande was sentenced by an all-white jury to the death penalty. The prosecutor was handing out lapels with noose symbols to the jurors as a congratulatory present when the death sentence was given.

Does this sound like justice to you? To me this is a case of pure racism. The facts are there, the case is cut and dry. Mr. LeGrande did not receive a fair trial. Should he be put death for something he does not understand? Should this trial be forgotten like most are? I think that it is time that people saw what is really going on in the courts these days. How racism is still very active and right there in people's hometowns.